Players battling for the ball during the tournament.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 4:The curtain falls on the second friendly international championship of Salwa Al-Sabah Club for Women's Volleyball, which saw participation from Salwa Al-Sabah Club, Geneva (Switzerland), Acad Ankoa (Iraq), Al-Shabiba Al-Bouchrieh (Lebanon), Al-Ula (Saudi Arabia), Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy (UAE), along with the Tunisian and Qatari national teams. The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sabah Badr Al-Sabah, Governor of Mubarak Al-Kabeer.

Organized for the second consecutive year by Salwa Al-Sabah Club, led by Sheikha Naima Al-Ahmad, this championship saw Salwa Al-Sabah's Volleyball Team claiming the title in its first edition.

The quarter-finals, saw Salwa Volleyball triumph over the Qatari national team 3-0. Similarly, Geneva defeated Al-Ula 3-0, the Tunisian national team overcame Fatima Academy 3-1, and Al-Shabiba Al-Bouchrieh defeated Acad Ankoa.

Ghadeer Youssef, supervisor of the Qatari women's volleyball team, praised the Salwa International Championship as one of the best organized and technically sound tournaments. She shared that the Qatari women's team is participating for the first time in an external tournament, featuring young players under 14 and 16 years old who are gaining valuable experience. She also commended the Qatar Volleyball Association, led by Ali Al-Kuwari, for its ongoing support and efforts in overcoming obstacles for the women's team.

Youssef expressed gratitude to the Salwa Al-Sabah Club and Sheikha Naima Al-Ahmad for their warm reception and hospitality, providing the teams with all the comforts needed to perform at their best. She added that Qatar would certainly participate in the tournament's third season and mentioned that the Qatar Volleyball Association is considering organizing a similar tournament in Doha.

In the men's general volleyball league, Al-Nasr defeated Al-Yarmouk 3-1, and Burqan triumphed over Al-Sulaibikhat 3-0. The current standings are as follows: Kazma, Al-Shabab, and Al-Nasr each with 9 points; Al-Arabi and Al-Qadisiyah with 6 points; Burqan, Kuwait, and Al-Sulaibikhat with 3 points; Yarmouk with 2 points; Al-Sahel with 1 point; and Al-Tadamon with no points.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff